Press Room
Recent AILA Press Releases
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AILA and Council File Complaint Regarding Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
Resources on the AILA and American Immigration Council complaint, filed with the DHS OIG and CRCL regarding a pervasive and illegal practice by DHS officials of coercing parents into signing documents, ostensibly waiving their legal rights, including their right to be reunified with their children.
Press Call on Complaint Regarding Coercive Tactics Used by Immigration Officials on Separated Parents
On a press call, representatives of AILA, the Council, the Dilley Pro Bono Project, and Annunciation House discuss a complaint filed by AILA and the Council with DHS’s OIG and CRCL regarding coercive tactics used by government officials against parents who were separated from their children.
Trump Administration Further Undermines Judicial Independence
AILA responds to Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ decision in Matter of L-A-B-R-, which limits the discretion of immigration judges to grant continuances.
Immigration Judges Spotlight DOJ Hijacking of Court Independence
Today, NAIJ accused EOIR of violating the Constitution, federal statute and the NAIJ’s union contract by stripping cases away from a judge; Jeremy McKinney, AILA Treasurer noted the grievance “puts the spotlight on how fundamentally compromised our immigration court system has become.”
AILA: U.S. Must Reunify Families, Stay Their Removal, and Provide for the Return of 400+ Parents Deported Without Their Children
AILA calls for an immediate stay of the removal and release from custody of all of the victims of this family separation strategy so the families are afforded the chance to be represented by an attorney and to file claims for relief if they are eligible.
DHS Instruction to Asylum Officers Violates U.S. and International Law
Late on July 11, 2018, USCIS and ICE issued guidance redefining core principles of America’s asylum laws which will have far-reaching implications for asylum seekers, refugees, and others.
New USCIS Policy Will Needlessly Push Thousands More Cases into the Deportation Machinery
In this statement, AILA highlights how the new guidance published by USCIS regarding Notices to Appear (NTAs) will needlessly push thousands more cases into the deportation machinery, further clogging the already backlogged immigration court system.
Supreme Court Upholds Muslim Ban, Strengthens “Invisible Wall”
Reflecting on the 5-4 Supreme Court decision today, AILA President Anastasia Tonello stated that AILA will continue to “work to ensure that fairness, due process, and the free exercise of religion and expression are reflected in our nation’s immigration laws and policies.”
AILA: Expanding Family Detention Is Not the Answer to Cruel Family Separation Policy
Responding to the Executive Order regarding family separation, AILA President Anastasia Tonello stated, “The barriers to due process that AILA attorneys have encountered at every detention facility only underscore what needs to happen: both family separation and family detention must end.”
AILA: Once Again, Congress Holds DREAMers Hostage
As Congress gears up to vote on two immigration bills next week, AILA President Anastasia Tonello and Executive Director Ben Johnson raise serious concerns about the provisions which would, among other things, severely cut legal immigration, undermine vital protections for vulnerable populations.
New Edition of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook Released by AILA
The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is proud to release the 16th edition of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook at the 2018 AILA Annual Conference being held in San Francisco this week.
AILA Elects New Officers for 2018-2019
Today, Anastasia Tonello was installed as AILA’s President at AILA’s Annual Conference and the following officers were elected: Marketa Lindt as President-Elect, Jennifer Minear as First Vice President, Allen Orr as Second Vice President, Jeremy McKinney as Treasurer, and Farshad Owji as Secretary.
Immigration Attorneys Offer Free Legal Consultations in San Francisco on June 16
This Saturday, June 16, 2018, AILA, in partnership with AILA’s Northern California Chapter and La Raza Centro Legal, will offer free immigration law consultations. Immigration attorneys will be available to answer questions and assist immigrants with a variety of immigration-related questions.
AILA Presents Cyrus D. Mehta with the 2018 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award
AILA will recognize Cyrus D. Mehta with the 2018 Edith Lowenstein Memorial Award for excellence in advancing the practice of immigration law. He will receive the award this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents Dilruba Hashim and Tracie L. Klinke with the 2018 Advocacy Award
AILA will recognize Dilruba Hashim, of Washington, D.C., and Tracie L. Klinke, of Marietta, Georgia, with the 2018 Advocacy Award for outstanding efforts in support of AILA’s advocacy agenda. They will accept their awards this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents Rebecca Sharpless with the 2018 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award
AILA will recognize Rebecca Sharpless of the University of Miami School of Law with the 2018 Elmer Fried Excellence in Teaching Award this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents John C. Keller with the 2018 Arthur C. Helton Memorial Human Rights Award
AILA will recognize John C. Keller with the 2018 Arthur C. Helton Human Rights Award for outstanding service in advancing the cause of human rights this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents Sheila Starkey Hahn with the 2018 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award
AILA will recognize Sheila Starkey Hahn, of Memphis, Tennessee, with the 2018 Michael Maggio Memorial Pro Bono Award for outstanding efforts in providing pro bono representation in the immigration field. The award will be presented this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents Jonathan Blitzer and Sarah Stillman of The New Yorker with the 2018 Media Leadership Award
AILA will recognize The New Yorker's Jonathan Blitzer and Sarah Stillman with the 2018 Media Leadership Award, for individuals whose efforts in the media most accurately depict immigration and immigrants. The award will be presented this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents Patrick Taurel with the 2018 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award
AILA will recognize Patrick Taurel, of Washington, D.C., with the 2018 Joseph Minsky Young Lawyer Award for his outstanding contributions made as a young lawyer in the field of immigration and nationality law. He will receive the award this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents Dagmar Butte with the 2018 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award
AILA will recognize Dagmar Butte of Portland, OR, with the 2018 Susan D. Quarles AILA Service Excellence Award for her outstanding service in advancing the mission, development, and values of AILA. She will receive the award this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Recognizes Helen L. Tarokic with the 2018 Sam Williamson Mentor Award
AILA will recognize Helen L. Tarokic, of Wilmington, North Carolina, with the 2018 Sam Williamson Mentor Award for her outstanding counsel to immigration attorneys by providing mentoring assistance. The award will be presented this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
AILA Presents the MAVNI Litigation Team of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson LLP with the 2018 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award
AILA will recognize the MAVNI Litigation Team of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP with the 2018 Jack Wasserman Memorial Award for excellence in litigation in the field of immigration law this week during AILA’s Annual Conference in San Francisco.
Attorney General Pushes Immigration Judges to Deny Asylum to Victims of Violence
AILA responds to the Attorney General's precedent decision in which he vacated the BIA decision in Matter of A- B and announced that in his view, domestic violence victims and other victims of crimes perpetrated by private, non-government actors do not generally qualify for asylum.
Complaint Filed with DHS Oversight Bodies Calls for Improvements to Medical and Mental Health Care of Immigrants in Aurora Detention Center
AILA and American Immigration Council released a press release on their complaint, filed 6/4/18, regarding inadequate access to medical and mental health care for immigrants detained at the Denver Contract Detention Facility, which is owned and operated by the private prison company Geo Group, Inc.